Multifunctional rod for icemaker

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice; and a rod, the rod in turn comprising at least one of a heat source and a heat sink. The mold body is mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis of rotation for the mold body. A refrigerator using the apparatus is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,filed on ______, Attorney Docket Number 236952, entitled ICEMAKER WITHREVERSIBLE THERMOSIPHON, the complete disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to refrigeration, and moreparticularly to icemakers and the like.

It is now common practice in the art of refrigerators to provide anautomatic icemaker. The icemaker is often disposed in the freezercompartment and ice is often dispensed through an opening in the accessdoor of the freezer compartment. In this arrangement, ice is formed byfreezing water with cold air in the freezer compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, the exemplary embodiments of the present inventionovercome one or more disadvantages known in the art.

One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus comprising:a mold body with at least one cavity configured and dimensioned toreceive water to be frozen into ice; and a rod, the rod in turncomprising at least one of a heat source and a heat sink, the mold bodybeing mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis ofrotation for the mold body.

Another aspect relates to a refrigerator comprising: a body defining atleast one cooled compartment; a door hinged to the body and permittingaccess to the at least one cooled compartment; a mold body with at leastone cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to be frozen intoice; a rod, mounted to at least one of the body and the door, the rod inturn comprising at least one of a heat source and a heat sink, the moldbody being mounted to the rod such that the rod functions as an axis ofrotation for the mold body, at least one of the body and the door havinga region for receiving discharge of the ice from the mold body.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood,however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes ofillustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, forwhich reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwiseindicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate thestructures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first exemplary icemaker location in aside-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second exemplary icemaker location in aside-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a third exemplary icemaker location in aside-by-side refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a secondary rack,according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view along line VIIIA-VIIIA of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view along line VIIIB-VIIIB of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a first exemplary icemaker location in a bottommount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a second exemplary icemaker location in a bottommount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line XII-XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a third exemplary icemaker location in a bottommount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a fourth exemplary icemaker location in a bottommount refrigerator, according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view along line XVI-XVI of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a first exemplarymultifunctional fixed rod, in a fill and freeze mode, in accordance withan aspect of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a side view looking in direction shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an end view along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a side view of the assembly of FIGS. 17-19 in heat anddispense mode;

FIG. 21 is an end view along line XXI-XXI in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a second exemplarymultifunctional fixed rod, in a fill and freeze mode, in accordance withan aspect of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view looking in direction XXIII-XXIII shown in FIG.22;

FIG. 24 is an end view along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a side view of the assembly of FIGS. 22-24 in heat anddispense mode;

FIG. 26 is an end view along line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but of an alternative embodimentwith a fixed rod;

FIG. 28 is a top view of an icemaker assembly with a hollow ice mold, ina fill and freeze mode, in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a side view looking in direction. XXIX-XXIX shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an end view along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the assembly of FIGS. 28-30 in heat anddispense mode; and

FIG. 32 is an end view along line XXXII-XXXII in FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference should initially be had to FIGS. 1-16. In one or moreembodiments, a multifunctional rod 102 provides an icemaker mold body104 with an axis of rotation, a heating path for enhancing release ofice from the mold body, and optionally a cooling path for rapid freezingof ice. Further details are provided below.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate different exemplary configurations of a“side-by-side” refrigerator 100 which includes a fresh food compartment106 and a freezer compartment 108. The refrigerator 100 is cooled by aconventional vapor-compression mechanical refrigeration cycle (althoughembodiments could also be used with other types of refrigerators, suchas those cooled using thermoelectric cooling). The present invention istherefore not intended to be limited to any particular type orconfiguration of a refrigerator.

The freezer compartment 108 and the fresh food compartment 106 arearranged in a side-by-side configuration where the freezer compartment108 is disposed next to the fresh food compartment 106. The doorsclosing the fresh food and freezer compartments are omitted in FIGS. 1,3, and 7, while the freezer door 110 is shown in FIG. 5. The doors canbe hinged to the body in a conventional fashion.

The fresh food compartment 106 and the freezer compartment 108 are, in awell-known manner, contained within a main body including an outer case,which can be formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such aspre-painted steel, into a generally inverted U-shape to form a top andtwo sidewalls of the outer case. The outer case also has a bottom whichconnects the two sidewalls to each other at the bottom edges thereof,and a back. A mullion or divider 112 connects the top and bottom to eachother and separates the fresh food compartment 106 from the freezercompartment 108. As is known in the art, a thermally insulating liner isaffixed to the outer case.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an ice making assembly including rod 102 andmold body 104 is mounted adjacent to the interior surface of the freezerdoor 110. The ice making assembly is disposed near a thermally insulatedhopper-like ice compartment 114 mounted or formed on the freezer door110, and the mold body 104 of the ice making assembly is adjacent thehopper 114. A bucket 115 collects ice discharged from mold body 104.Auger 113 conveys same to crusher blades 117 which discharge ice tohopper 114. Hopper 114 can have different locations in differentembodiments; for example, freezer door, fresh food door, compartment inthe freezer or fresh food regions, and so on.

Water is provided to the mold body 104 through a water supply conduit(not shown but per se familiar to the skilled artisan), and then isfrozen into ice cubes. Then the ice cubes are usually discharged fromthe mold body 104 and stored in the ice storage hopper 114 until neededby a user. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the axis of rod 102 is generallyperpendicular to the freezer door 110 and generally parallel to thesides of the freezer compartment 108.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1and 2, except that the axis of rod 102 is generally parallel to thefreezer door 110 and perpendicular to the mullion or divider 112.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict an embodiment wherein the ice making assemblyincluding rod 102 and mold body 104 is mounted within a cavity 116 ofthe freezer door 110. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the axis of rod 102 is generallyparallel to the freezer door 110 and generally perpendicular to thesides of the freezer compartment 108.

FIGS. 9-16 illustrate different exemplary configurations of a “bottommount” refrigerator 100′ which includes a fresh food compartment 106 anda freezer compartment 108. The refrigerator 100′ can be cooled in amanner similar to that described above, for example.

The freezer compartment 108 and the fresh food compartment 106 arearranged in a configuration where the freezer compartment 108 isdisposed beneath the fresh food compartment 106. The doors closing thefresh food and freezer compartments are omitted in FIGS. 9, 11, and 15,while the fresh food door 130 is shown in FIG. 13. The doors can behinged to the body in a conventional fashion.

The fresh food compartment 106 and the freezer compartment 108 are, in awell-known manner, contained within a main body constructed in awell-known manner, similar to that described above. A mullion or divider112 connects the sides to each other and separates the fresh foodcompartment 106 from the freezer compartment 108. As is known in theart, a thermally insulating liner is affixed to the outer case.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an ice making assembly including rod 102 andmold body 104 is mounted on the left side wall of the freezercompartment 108. Ice is discharged via bucket 115 on a pull-out freezerbin. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the axis of rod 102 is generally parallel to thefreezer door 110 and generally perpendicular to the sides of the freezercompartment 108.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment wherein an ice making assemblyincluding rod 102 and mold body 104 is mounted within a cavity 132 ofthe fresh food door 130. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the axis of rod 102 isgenerally parallel to the fresh food door 130 and generallyperpendicular to the sides of the fresh food door compartment 106.Auxiliary cooling may be provided to compartment 132 to aid iceformation (for example, by ducting air from freezer compartment 108, ora separate evaporator may be employed in the mechanical refrigerationcycle (not to be confused with the evaporator of a heat pipe,thermosiphon, or reflux boiler as described below)).

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an embodiment wherein an ice making assemblyincluding rod 102 and mold body 104 is mounted within a separateice-making compartment 134 within the fresh food compartment 106. InFIGS. 15 and 16, the axis of rod 102 is generally perpendicular to thefresh food door 130 and generally parallel to the sides of the freshfood door compartment 106. Auxiliary cooling may be provided tocompartment 134 to aid ice formation (for example, by ducting air fromfreezer compartment 108, or a separate evaporator may be employed in themechanical refrigeration cycle (not to be confused with the evaporatorof a heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler as described below)).

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 17-21. In one or more embodiments,rod 102 is a thermosiphon, reflux boiler or heat pipe (in someinstances, as discussed below, mold body 104 is hollow and also formspart of the thermosiphon, reflux boiler or heat pipe). Rod 102 is asealed hollow pipe or tube containing a refrigerant which rapidly coolsthe mold body 104, thus greatly reducing the freeze time for the ice. Ina non-limiting example, ice may freeze in about ⅕ to 1/10 the time as ina conventional system, such that proportionately more ice can begenerated per unit time. Rod 102 is a two-phase system containing liquidand vapor. Fins 140 augment cooling on one side (the condenser side141). During cooling, middle region 142 functions as an evaporator,absorbing heat from mold body 104. Heater 144 is provided on theopposite side from fins 140 to aid in harvesting. Fins 140 are depictedas annular but any suitable configuration can be employed.

In some instances, mold body 104 is fixed to rod 102 and rotatestherewith when driven by motor 146 and suitable gearing 148 or the like.As best seen in FIGS. 18 and 20, rod 102 is bent such that in “fill andfreeze” mode, as seen in FIGS. 17-19, finned condenser region 141 iselevated above the remainder of the rod. Refrigerant in rod 102 absorbsheat from the water in mold body 104, and evaporates, then condenses incondenser region 141 where it gives up heat to the ambient (e.g.,freezer compartment) through the fins 140. The condensate flows back tothe evaporator region by gravity. Because of this gravity action, a heatpipe with a wicking structure is not necessary, although it could beemployed if desired. In the “release” mode in FIGS. 20 and 21, heater144 is activated and the mold body 104 attached to rod 102 is rotatedupside down to release the ice by a combination of heating and gravity.Heat from heater 144 is conducted through rod 102. In some instances, toassist with the ice falling out of the mold body, the mold body can betwisted when in the inverted position; for example, by having one siderotate while the other side resists the rotating motion for a small timeperiod or small distance. As seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, a mold stop 201can be provided on one side of the mold body 104 opposite the sidedriven by the motor. The stop can be located to cause a slightinterference with the position the mold body would otherwise assume,resulting in a twisting of the mold body to assist in discharging theice.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, ice mold 104 is made of a conductivematerial, secured mechanically and thermally to rod 102 which functionsas an axis of rotation. Rod 102 is a hollow sealed pipe with refrigerantinside; it acts as thermosiphon or reflux boiler; i.e., a heat pipewhich can but need not have a wicking structure because the evaporatoris below the condenser. In addition, one end of rod 102 has a heater 144on it and the other end is the condenser 141 of the heat pipe and hasfins 140. The condenser end is angled up in the fill and freeze mode asseen in the view of FIG. 18.

Note that FIGS. 17-21 show an embodiment wherein the mold body 104 androd 102 are secured together and rotate together. In one or morealternate embodiments, the mold body 104 rotates and the rod 102 isfixed; i.e., the mold body 104 is secured to rod 102 in a way thatconducts heat between the two but allows rotary motion therebetween.FIGS. 17-19 and 21 are applicable to either configuration. FIG. 27 showsthe alternative configuration. As seen therein, where the rod 102 isfixed, then condenser 141 is always elevated above evaporator 142. Ifboth rotate as in FIG. 20, condenser 141 is elevated above evaporator142 when mold body 104 is upright in the fill and freeze mode, as inFIG. 18, wherein it is desired to draw heat away from mold body 104 tocause water therein to freeze and turn to ice. In heat and dispensemode, in the embodiment of FIG. 20 where the rod 102 rotates, theevaporator 141 is pointed down.

A conventional motor 146 has reduction gear 148 and a controller 197 tocause it to actuate just enough to rotate the mold body 104.

Any suitable heater 144 can be employed. The heater can also becontrolled by the controller 197. One non-limiting example of a suitableheater is the CALROD® line of resistance heating elements available fromGeneral Electric Company, Appliance Park, Louisville, Ky. 40225 USA.Where the rod 102 is fixed, the heater element 144 can be wrapped aroundthe rod and heat is conducted through a thermal contact interface (thesame could be augmented, for example, by soldering, brazing, use ofthermally conductive grease or Indium foil, or the like). Where rod 102rotates, the heater element 144 may, for example, be coiled around rod102 with good thermal contact but sufficiently free to rotate. In thislatter case, thermally conductive grease and/or a journal bearing can beemployed, for example. Where mold 104 rotates with rod 102, the two canbe brazed, soldered, or in tight mechanical contact, so that heat isconducted easily through the mechanical fingers 150 seen in thedrawings. Rod 102 may be mounted on bearings 199. Where the mold 104rotates about the rod 102, with rod 102 stationary, journal bearingscould be employed between the rod and mold body, optionally with thermalgrease, or fingers 150 can form bearing surfaces against rod 102, againoptionally with thermal grease.

From a purely thermal standpoint, a presently preferred embodiment isone, to be discussed below, wherein mold 104 is hollow and containsworking fluid in communication with the cavity of rod 102; the mold 104thus itself forms the evaporator of the thermosiphon. In a thermalsense, the next best approach is the case where the mold body 104 isfixed to the rod 102 and both rotate together, as in FIG. 20. Again, ina purely thermal sense, a least preferred but still acceptable approachis as shown in FIG. 27, wherein rod 102 is fixed and mold body 104rotates. Note that this ranking is purely from a thermal standpoint, andwhen other factors such as cost, ease of manufacture, or the like aretaken into account, a different ranking may result.

Note that when in heat and dispense mode, in the embodiment of FIG. 27the rod 102 still functions as a thermosiphon, reflux boiler, or heatpipe, so that heat transfer from the heater 144 is from both conductionthrough the metal and the effect of the thermosiphon, reflux boiler, orheat pipe. However, in the embodiments of FIG. 20, fluid will stay incondenser portion 141 so for the heating effect, reliance is primarilyon conduction through the metal from heater 144. Of course, a wickingstructure could be provided if desired so that rod 102 would function asa heat pipe in the heat and dispense mode of FIG. 20.

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 28-32 which depict an alternativeembodiment wherein mold body 104′ is hollow and in fluid communicationwith the hollow interior of rod 102′, the two forming a closed systemcontaining the two-phase working fluid. FIGS. 28-30 show the fill andfreeze condition. The hollow interior of the mold body 104′ forms theevaporator of the heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler. FIGS. 31and 32 show the heat and dispense mode. The remainder of the elementsare similar to those in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-21, have received thesame reference characters, and will not be described again. Because ofthe fluid communication between the hollow rod 102′ and the hollow moldbody 104′, the rod and mold body rotate together on suitable bearings199 or the like as described above.

It will thus be appreciated, with reference again to FIGS. 1-16, thatice making assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention can be positioned in a variety of locations, which may besimilar to the positions of ice making assemblies on currentrefrigerators. These include, for example, the top corner of the freezercompartment, within the fresh food or freezer compartment doors, and soon. The footprint of ice making assemblies in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the invention can, in at least some instances, besimilar to those of current ice makers. The condenser 141 of the rodshould be in an environment with a temperature sufficiently low tofreeze water into ice at ambient pressure, such as the ambient air inthe freezer compartment or separate ice making compartment.

FIGS. 22-26 depict an alternative embodiment wherein rod 2202 is not athermosiphon, reflux boiler, or heat pipe, but rather is simply aheater. This approach is lower in cost, but not as advantageous withrespect to freezing time. Element 2203 is an electrical lead to aCALROD® heating element or other type of heating element, which providesan axis of rotation and also heats mold body 104 (and is one and thesame as rod 2202 or is integrated with rod 2202). This embodiment worksin a similar manner to the embodiments of FIGS. 17-21 and 27 exceptwithout enhanced cooling. The mold body 104 may be secured to the rod2202 as it is secured to the rod 102 in FIG. 20 or may rotate withrespect thereto as in FIG. 27.

It should be noted that in some instances, the mold body is filled andfreezing occurs in an upright position, then the mold body is invertedand heat is applied to aid discharge. However, heat can be applied atdifferent times. For example, in some cases, the mold body is filled andfreezing occurs in an upright position, then heat is applied to aiddischarge, and finally the mold body is inverted. For example, considerFIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B. As seen therein, mold body 104 is upright, the icefreezes, the mold body is heated up, melting a small layer of icebetween the mold and the body of the ice. The mold body then rotateswhile at the same time secondary rack 203 engages ice 207 under theaction of torsion spring 205. Spring 205 keeps rack 203 down until itcontacts the mold body side wall; upon contact, the mold body side wallpushes the secondary rack up as seen in phantom lines. Secondary rack203 thus prevents ice 207 from rotating with mold body 104, effectivelyscooping the ice out of the mold.

One advantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodimentsof the described systems and techniques is more rapid ice production.Another advantage that may be realized in the practice of someembodiments of the described systems and techniques is a simple, robust,and low cost design (the components needed to make ice include a fixed(or rotating) rod, mold body, gear, and step motor.). Still anotheradvantage that may be realized in the practice of some embodiments ofthe described systems and techniques is production of ice cubes withunique shapes, such as hemispheres, three-dimensional trapezoids, hollowcylinders, and the like. Yet another advantage that may be realized inthe practice of some embodiments of the described systems and techniquesis that less internal refrigerator volume is taken up by the icemaker(since one or more embodiments allow more rapid freezing of ice—say, onthe order of ten times faster than conventional techniques—more rapiddispensing can be achieved, thus allowing production of a desired volumeof ice per unit time with a smaller mold volume; furthermore, in atleast some instances, rotation of the mold body overcomes the need for alarge rotating rack).

It will thus be appreciated that in one or more embodiments, a fixedmultifunctional rod provides the icemaker mold body with an axis ofrotation, as well as a heat source and/or heat extraction for rapidchill of ice. Possible fixed rods includes a heat pipe, thermosiphon, orreflux boiler with fins on one side (to extract heat from the mold body)and a CALROD® or other heater looped around or otherwise in thermalcommunication with the heat pipe, thermosiphon, or reflux boiler on theother side (the same applies heat to the mold body for ice release), ora CALROD® or other heater (which only applies heat to mold body). Thebottom of the mold body is attached to and rotates around the fixed rodor with a rotating rod. A large gear attached to one side of the moldbody, and a step motor, rotate the mold body.

Given the teachings herein, the skilled artisan will be able to selectworking fluids and determine an appropriate charge of the selectedworking fluid. Further useful details are provided in the aforesaid U.S.patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date herewith,attorney docket number 236952, entitled ICEMAKER WITH REVERSIBLETHERMOSIPHON.

Given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that, in generalterms, an exemplary apparatus, according to one aspect of the invention,includes a mold body 104, 104′ with at least one cavity configured anddimensioned to receive water to be frozen into ice, as well as a rod102, 102′, 2202. The rod in turn includes at least one of a heat source144 and a heat sink 141. The mold body is mounted to the rod such thatthe rod functions as an axis of rotation for the mold body (i.e., rod isfixed and mold body rotates about it or mold body and rod are fixed toeach other and rotate as a unit).

In some instances, the rod 102, 102′ is hollow and sealed, the mold body104, 104′ has first and second ends, and the rod has an evaporatorportion 142 in thermal communication with the mold body 104, 104′.Further, the rod 102, 102′ has a condenser portion 141, comprising theheat sink, and extending past the second end of the mold body 104, 104′and above the evaporator portion 142 when the mold body is disposed toreceive the water. Furthermore, the apparatus can also include atwo-phase heat transfer fluid contained within the hollow rod 102, 102′and a heat transfer surface (e.g., fins 140) on the condenser portion141.

In some instances, the apparatus further includes an actuationarrangement (e.g., motor 146 with gearing arrangement 148) which causesthe mold body to rotate about the axis of rotation between a firstposition wherein the water can be introduced into the at least onecavity and a second position wherein the ice can be discharged from theat least one cavity.

In one or more embodiments, the rod further comprises a heater 144 inthermal communication with the evaporator portion 142, the heatercomprising the heat source. Heater 144 may be in thermal communicationwith evaporator 142 by conduction from a distal end extending past thefirst side of the mold body (left side of rod in FIGS. 22, 27, and 28with heater being in thermal contact with the distal end of the rod) orcould even extend into the evaporator region.

In at least some instances, controller 197 is configured to cause theactuation arrangement to rotate the mold body about the axis ofrotation/or to activate the heater (for example, when the mold body isin the second position and/or when the mold body is in the firstposition and about to rotate to the second position).

As shown, for example, in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, in some instances, asecondary rack 203 is located so as to scoop the ice out of the moldbody as the mold body rotates from the first position to the secondposition. This approach can be used, for example, when the controller isconfigured to activate the heater at least under the condition when themold body is in the first position and about to rotate to the secondposition.

As noted, in some cases, the mold body 104, 104′ and the rod 102, 102′are fixed against relative rotation about the axis of rotation, in whichcase one or more bearings 199 can be provided, such that the rod and themold body rotate as a unit about the axis of rotation. In another aspectas in FIG. 27, the rod is fixed and the mold body rotates about the rod.

In a preferred but non-limiting approach, mold body 104 has a pluralityof cavities 160 configured and dimensioned to receive the water to befrozen into the ice.

In a thermally preferred approach of FIGS. 28-32, the mold body 104′ ishollow and in fluid communication with the hollow rod 102′, thetwo-phase heat transfer fluid extends into the hollow mold body, and theevaporator portion 142 of the rod is in thermal communication with themold body via fluid communication. In the approach of FIGS. 17-20 and27, the evaporator portion 142 of the rod 102 is in thermalcommunication with the mold body 104 via conduction.

In some instances, as in FIGS. 22-26, the rod further comprises a heater2202, the heater comprising the heat source.

An actuation arrangement as described above (optionally with controller197) can also be provided in this case.

Furthermore, given the discussion thus far, it will be appreciated that,in general terms, an exemplary refrigerator 100, 100′, according tostill another aspect of the invention, includes a body defining at leastone cooled compartment (e.g., 108, 134); a door such as 110 or 130hinged to the body and permitting access to the at least one cooledcompartment; and an apparatus as described above.

Software includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,microcode, etc. As is known in the art, part or all of one or moreaspects of the methods and apparatus discussed herein may be distributedas an article of manufacture that itself comprises a tangible computerreadable recordable storage medium having computer readable code meansembodied thereon. The computer readable program code means is operable,in conjunction with a computer system or microprocessor, to carry outall or some of the steps to perform the methods or create theapparatuses discussed herein. A computer-usable medium may, in general,be a recordable medium (e.g., floppy disks, hard drives, compact disks,EEPROMs, or memory cards) or may be a transmission medium (e.g., anetwork comprising fiber-optics, the world-wide web, cables, or awireless channel using time-division multiple access, code-divisionmultiple access, or other radio-frequency channel). Any medium known ordeveloped that can store information suitable for use with a computersystem may be used. The computer-readable code means is any mechanismfor allowing a computer or processor to read instructions and data, suchas magnetic variations on a magnetic medium or height variations on thesurface of a compact disk. The medium can be distributed on multiplephysical devices (or over multiple networks). As used herein, a tangiblecomputer-readable recordable storage medium is intended to encompass arecordable medium, examples of which are set forth above, but is notintended to encompass a transmission medium or disembodied signal. Aprocessor may include and/or be coupled to a suitable memory. Aprocessor with suitable software and/or firmware instructions may beused to implement controller 197. Other types of controls, such aselectromechanical controls, could also be used.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to exemplary embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and intheir operation, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expresslyintended that all combinations of those elements and/or method stepswhich perform substantially the same function in substantially the sameway to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Furthermore, it should be recognized that structures and/or elementsand/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with anydisclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in anyother disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as ageneral matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to belimited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a mold body with atleast one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to befrozen into ice; and a rod, said rod in turn comprising at least one ofa heat source and a heat sink, said mold body being mounted to said rodsuch that said rod functions as an axis of rotation for said mold body.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said rod is hollow and sealed;said mold body has first and second ends; said rod has an evaporatorportion in thermal communication with said mold body; and said rod has acondenser portion, comprising said heat sink, and extending past saidsecond end of said mold body and above said evaporator portion when saidmold body is disposed to receive said water; further comprising: atwo-phase heat transfer fluid contained within said hollow rod; and aheat transfer surface on said condenser portion.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said heat transfer surface comprises a plurality offins.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an actuationarrangement which causes said mold body to rotate about said axis ofrotation between a first position wherein said water can be introducedinto said at least one cavity and a second position wherein said ice canbe discharged from said at least one cavity.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein said rod further comprises a heater in thermal communicationwith said evaporator portion, said heater comprising said heat source.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said rod has a distal end,extending past said first side of said mold body, said heater being inthermal contact with said distal end of said rod.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 5, further comprising a controller configured to cause saidactuation arrangement to rotate said mold body about said axis ofrotation and to activate said heater under at least one of: a conditionwhen said mold body is in said second position; and a condition whensaid mold body is in said first position and about to rotate to saidsecond position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said controller isconfigured to activate said heater at least under said condition whensaid mold body is in said first position and about to rotate to saidsecond position, further comprising a secondary rack located to scoopsaid ice our of said mold body as said mold body rotates from said firstposition to said second position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinsaid mold body and said rod are fixed against relative rotation aboutsaid axis of rotation, further comprising at least one bearing, whereinsaid rod and said mold body rotate as a unit about said axis ofrotation.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said rod is fixed andsaid mold body rotates about said rod.
 11. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein said mold body has a plurality of cavities configured anddimensioned to receive said water to be frozen into said ice.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein: said mold body is hollow and in fluidcommunication with said hollow rod, said two-phase heat transfer fluidextending into said hollow mold body, said evaporator portion of saidrod being in said thermal communication with said mold body via saidfluid communication.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: saidevaporator portion of said rod is in said thermal communication withsaid mold body via conduction.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid rod further comprises a heater, said heater comprising said heatsource.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an actuationarrangement which causes said mold body to rotate about said axis ofrotation between a first position wherein said water can be introducedinto said at least one cavity and a second position wherein said ice canbe discharged from said at least one cavity.
 16. The apparatus of claim15, further comprising a controller configured to cause said actuationarrangement to rotate said mold body about said axis of rotation and toactivate said heater under at least one of: a condition when said moldbody is in said second position; and a condition when said mold body isin said first position and about to rotate to said second position. 17.The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said controller is configured toactivate said heater at least under said condition when said mold bodyis in said first position and about to rotate to said second position,further comprising a secondary rack located to scoop said ice our ofsaid mold body as said mold body rotates from said first position tosaid second position.
 18. A refrigerator comprising: a body defining atleast one cooled compartment; a door hinged to said body and permittingaccess to said at least one cooled compartment; a mold body with atleast one cavity configured and dimensioned to receive water to befrozen into ice; a rod, mounted to at least one of said body and saiddoor, said rod in turn comprising at least one of a heat source and aheat sink, said mold body being mounted to said rod such that said rodfunctions as an axis of rotation for said mold body, at least one ofsaid body and said door having a region for receiving discharge of saidice from said mold body.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein: saidrod is hollow and sealed; said mold body has first and second ends; saidrod has an evaporator portion in thermal communication with said moldbody; and said rod has a condenser portion, comprising said heat sink,and extending past said second end of said mold body and above saidevaporator portion when said mold body is disposed to receive saidwater, said condenser portion being in thermal communication with saidat least one cooled compartment; further comprising: a two-phase heattransfer fluid contained within said hollow rod; and a heat transfersurface on said condenser portion.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 19,further comprising an actuation arrangement which causes said mold bodyto rotate about said axis of rotation between a first position whereinsaid water can be introduced into said at least one cavity and a secondposition wherein said ice can be discharged from said at least onecavity.
 21. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein said rod furthercomprises a heater in thermal communication with said evaporatorportion, said heater comprising said heat source.
 22. The refrigeratorof claim 21, further comprising a controller configured to cause saidactuation arrangement to rotate said mold body about said axis ofrotation and to activate said heater under at least one of: a conditionwhen said mold body is in said second position; and a condition whensaid mold body is in said first position and about to rotate to saidsecond position.
 23. The refrigerator of claim 22, wherein saidcontroller is configured to activate said heater at least under saidcondition when said mold body is in said first position and about torotate to said second position, further comprising a secondary racklocated to scoop said ice our of said mold body as said mold bodyrotates from said first position to said second position.
 24. Therefrigerator of claim 22, wherein said mold body has a plurality ofcavities configured and dimensioned to receive said water to be frozeninto said ice.
 25. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein: said mold bodyis hollow and in fluid communication with said hollow rod, saidtwo-phase heat transfer fluid extending into said hollow mold body, saidevaporator portion of said rod being in said thermal communication withsaid mold body via said fluid communication.
 26. The refrigerator ofclaim 19, wherein: said evaporator portion of said rod is in saidthermal communication with said mold body via conduction.
 27. Therefrigerator of claim 18, wherein said rod further comprises a heater,said heater comprising said heat source.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27,further comprising an actuation arrangement which causes said mold bodyto rotate about said axis of rotation between a first position whereinsaid water can be introduced into said at least one cavity and a secondposition wherein said ice can be discharged from said at least onecavity.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a controllerconfigured to cause said actuation arrangement to rotate said mold bodyabout said axis of rotation and to activate said heater under at leastone of: a condition when said mold body is in said second position; anda condition when said mold body is in said first position and about torotate to said second position.
 30. The refrigerator of claim 29,wherein said controller is configured to activate said heater at leastunder said condition when said mold body is in said first position andabout to rotate to said second position, further comprising a secondaryrack located to scoop said ice our of said mold body as said mold bodyrotates from said first position to said second position.